GABA side effects when used as a supplement,
Will it help you relax and ease tension? Does this neurotransmitter pill work for natural anxiety
relief?

March 28 2014

Side effects, allergy, adverse reactionsAllergy symptoms have not
been reported to us at this time.

Does GABA have any side effects, risk, danger?
As of 2014, no significant side effects have been reported with the use of GABA
supplements.

I have read that high doses of GABA can cause
seizures?
We have not seen any research that indicates taking GABA
supplements induces seizures or increases the risk for epilepsy. Unexpected reactions can occur when extremely high
doses of various supplements are taken.

GABA or gamma-aminobutyric acid, discovered in 1950, is the most important
and widespread inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. Excitation in the brain must be
balanced with inhibition. Too much excitation can lead to restlessness, irritability,
insomnia, and even seizures. GABA is able to induce relaxation, analgesia, and sleep.
Barbiturates and benzodiazepines are known to stimulate GABA receptors, and hence induce
relaxation. Several neurological disorders, such as epilepsy, sleep disorders, and
Parkinsons disease are affected by this neurotransmitter.
The drug Valium and other benzodiazepines work by influencing GABA receptors on
brain cells.

Supplements that benefit anxiety or help reduce tension
and stress5-HTP
works by increasing levels of
serotonin levels, a
neurotransmitter that helps induce calmness. Kava from the South Pacific islands
helps one relax within an hour of intake.
Valerian
is able to reduce anxiety in some people.
For better sleep, try
Good Night Rx
an hour or two before bed.
Theanine
may be helpful in some people at a dosage of 100 or 200 mg.

GABA supplement, 250 mg, 60 Capsules - Enzymatic Therapy

Recommendations: One, two, or three GABA capsules once or twice daily.

Supplement Facts:
Gamma-aminobutyric acid 250 mg

Buy GABA supplement

GABA is made in the brain from the amino acid glutamate with the aid of vitamin
B6. This natural amino acid is available as a supplement in vitamin stores, but taking it in pill form is not
always an effective way to raise brain levels of this neurotransmitter because
it cannot
easily cross the blood-brain barrier. Companies are searching for ways to place GABA in an
oil base in order to ease its entry across this barrier. Having said this, we
have had feedback from a few people who feel that it helps reduce their anxiety. One
user takes capsules in the morning and says it takes the edge off his anxiety, and
the effects are noticed a few hours later.

Absorption and crossing the blood brain barrier
I have been reading about an oral GABA supplement and I was wondering what
studies there are regarding how much of what I ingest is actually absorbed.
Not enough studies have been done with GABA supplements to know
for sure. Plus, the absorption rate of GABA supplements from different
manufacturers may be different.

GABA anxiety research
There is little research regarding the use of GABA supplements in humans. We don't have a strong
opinion regarding the effectiveness of GABA supplements for
anxiety remedy at this time
although the early research looks promising.

Relaxation and immunity enhancement effects of gamma-aminobutyric
acid
administration in humans.Biofactors. 2006.
The effect of orally administrated gamma-aminobutyric acid on relaxation
and immunity during stress has been investigated in humans. Two studies were
conducted. The first evaluated the effect of GABA intake by 13 subjects on their
brain waves. Electroencephalograms EEG were obtained after 3 tests on each
volunteer as follows: intake only water, GABA, or L-theanine. After 60 minutes
of administration, GABA significantly increases alpha waves and decreases beta
waves compared to water or L-theanine. These findings denote that GABA not only
induces relaxation but also reduces anxiety. The second study was conducted to
see the role of relaxant and anxiolytic effects on immunity in
stressed volunteers. Eight acrophobic subjects were divided into 2 groups
(placebo and GABA). All subjects were crossing a suspended bridge as a stressful
stimulus. Immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels in their saliva were monitored during
bridge crossing. Placebo group showed marked decrease of their IgA levels, while
GABA group showed significantly higher levels. Therefore, our results indicate
that GABA could work
effectively as a natural relaxant and its effects could be seen within 1 hour of
its administration to induce relaxation and diminish anxiety.

I get anxiety when I take a high dose of
tongkat ali
herb, would gaba supplement use reduce or prevent the anxiety?
We doubt GABA pills would help since the aphrodisiac herb is
very potent.

Use in body building as growth
hormone releaserI am a little concerned with some
conflicting reports I have seen on GABA since I have started taking it.
On the one hand a at first glance it sounded like a miracle supplement but the claims of
increases in growth hormone I was slightly suspicious off, most adverts steal results and
quotes from clinical drugs trials report "Increase HGH levels by 550%" etc When
I read the more independent research on it, the doctors say, that GABA as a sport supplement, in
powder form cannot transgress easily the brain/blood barrier so in reality, the GABA in
your head, is the stuff your body produces naturally and nothing else. Certainly amongst
the guys I know taking it nobody taking it seemed to be turning into the hulk over night.
We do not believe this product is effective for bodybuilding or as
HGH releaser.

I have found a significant amount of literature on
the net saying that taking GABA between 2-5 grams per day leads to significant increases
in HGH in the blood stream. I was wondering if this is true, and if so what the risks
would be in taking it at such high levels.
Long term risks of high dose gaba intake are unknown, and even if supplements
raise hgh levels, we don't know for certain that raising hgh levels is beneficial or
harmful in the long run. We have not seen much evidence yet that there is a
significant or lasting effect on human growth hormone release.

For sleep and insomnia
Are there any reasons to be cautious about using GABA as a
sleep aid? Because it is an essential amino acid, I wonder if there are any potential
negative effects of taking GABA supplements (I've seen them from 100-750mg).
Our experience does not indicate this
nutrient to have much of an effect on sleep since it doesn't seem that it crosses the
blood brain barrier well enough to have a material effect.

I had a trouble with getting enough deep sleep. I have
sleep apnea and until I took measures to prevent myself from sleeping on my
back, I kept my wife awake and I slept poorly. I found a mechanical means to
prevent myself from sleeping on my back, but I still did not get restful sleep. I started taking GABA (500mg tablets, 4 per dose) and a B-complex plus 1000mg Vitamin C, Super
Stress formula) immediately before I went to sleep. I observed over the course
of a month that my sleep improved significantly. i usually go to sleep around
10PM (I wake up at 5:30AM) and wake to micturate between 1AM-3AM when cortisol
production is high and i am in light sleep. Before GABA, i would wake twice and
sleep fitfully until the alarm rang, and then stumble through my day. now, i
wake in the 1-3 window and fall back asleep and wake rested at 5AM. on the
weekends, i get 8-9 hours of sleep and feel renewed. Your website is a good
source of information for herbal and vitamin supplements. i have found you to be
reliable and current.

Tremors
Might GABA supplementation be useful to those with
essential tremor?
We have not seen any studies testing it for
essential tremor control, so we don't know.

For weight loss
I recently read an article on body building that
claimed using Gaba in the amount of 5 grams daily will act to reduce body fat.
It was
praised as the ultimate fat burner. During your research have you discovered it to have
any body fat reducing capabilities?
We have not come across such research and do not think it has much
of an influence on weight loss or fat burning.

Interaction with alcohol
I recently purchased a bottle of GABA because, upon
doing some research, found information that led me to believe that it sometimes
is helpful to a person who might be going from a social drinker to an every
night, chronic drinker. I am hoping for some help to not feel anxious, or a need
to have a glass of wine every nite. I'm hoping it will just nudge me into a
better state of mind...as I work on breaking the habit. Some of what I've read
is confusing as I'm not a scientist, so, in layman's terms, are my assumptions
that GABA supplement use helps relieve alcohol craving fairly correct?
We have not seen any human studies that indicate the use of a GABA
supplement reduces alcohol drinking and we also have not had any feedback from users that it has been helpful in this condition.

Interactions with dietary
supplements
I stopped taking Prozac about a year ago. After
experiencing symptoms of depression along with anxiety and sleeplessness I have
started taking Sam-e with favorable results. So far I have not had an increase
in anxiety but because of the warnings on your website will possibly lower my
dosage if this occurs. Can I take a sleep aid containing GABA along with the
Sam-e? Do these contradict one another?
SAM-e may cause insomnia in high doses and it is preferable to
take less SAM-e than to have to counteract it with a sleep aid.

I am currently taking a GABA supplement
for relaxation. Will taking Mind-Power Rx have a stimulating effect and would it
counter-act the effects of GABA?
Yes Mind Power causes alertness and increased mental
stimulation.

Interactions with
prescription medications
Is it safe to take both Gaba and Gabapentin?
GABA supplements are usually safe and have a very low incidence
of side effects. The safety of a supplement or medication, or the combinations
has mostly to do with dosage. The lower the dosages, the less likely side
effects will occur. We have not seen studies regarding the combination use of
Gabapentin and GABA supplement so we don't know for certain what interactions
would occur if both are taken together. One approach is to learn how each one
works for you separately and then when combining, initially using a portion of
a tablet or capsule. Have approval by your doctor.

Production, manufacturing, how
is it made?How is GABA supplements (powder or capsule or both if different) produced? I
know organic chemistry principles are used to perhaps synthesize it, as a
graduate student on the ask a biologist. I want to know the ingredients. Nobody
really has the answer online. Yahoo answers is highly unreliable. Do they
extract ingredients out of animal brains or animal bodies or plants? What is/are
the main root source(s)? I also would like to know the same information for
choline bitartrate, piracetam, 5-HTP, and serotonin.
We don't know the exact chemical processes that are involved
in producing this neurotransmitter but we are certain that they are not from animal sources. Serotonin pills are
not available. 5-HTP is derived from Griffonia seeds.

Tolerance, feedback inhibition
Does taking GABA supplements make it so that the brain does not make its own
because it already has enough then works so that it doesn't make any even after
stopping, but you'd have to wait or is it? Or does it work so that it adds more
to the brains production of GABA and natural brain production stays constant as
long as your sleep pattern and lighting pattern remains the same?
There is no current indication that GABA brain or body
production is stopped or reduced with supplementation.

Gaba products from different
manufacturersGABA is an important amino
acid neurotransmitter in the brain and is manufactured by several companies
including Enzymatic Therapy. They make
GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid) 250 mg per pill.
There are dozens or hundreds of GABA products on the market sold
by various supplement sellers.

Have you heard of this product called PharmaGABA? I
always thought it can not cross the blood barrier except when bonded to niacin (phenibut).
According the a website, "PharmaGABA a naturally produced
form of the important brain compound gamma-aminobutyric acid. Clinical studies
have shown PharmaGABA helps to increase the production of alpha brain waves to
create a profound sense of physical relaxation while maintaining mental focus in
a tasty fruit flavored chewable tablet. Clinical studies have shown PharmaGABA
helps to increase the production of alpha brain waves to create a profound sense
of physical relaxation while maintaining mental focus in a tasty fruit flavored
chewable tablet.Click here to read about PharmaGABA." We have not tried this
product so we don't know how effective it is.

I subscribe to many health newsletters, one of them discussed GABA research, "Studies with synthetic GABA
have shown that it does not cross the blood-brain barrier very well. That led to
the assumption that virtually all of it found in the brain is manufactured
there and that supplemental GABA would not increase levels in the brain.
That appears to be the case with synthetic GABA, but not with natural GABA in
the form of PharmaGABA - a special form naturally manufactured from
Lactobacillus hilgardii – the bacteria used to ferment vegetables in the
preparation of the traditional Korean dish known as kimchi. Unlike chemically
produced, synthetic GABA, natural PharmaGABA appears to be able to cross the
blood brain barrier to produce relaxation. PharmaGABA is approved for use in
Japan as an aid to conquer stress and promote relaxation. It is a very is a
popular ingredient in function foods and beverages as well as dietary
supplements designed to produce mental and physical relaxation, without inducing
drowsiness. "
A. We do not have clinical experience PharmaGABA, and a search on Medline did not
reveal any mention of this product. The company that sponsored this study is Pharma Foods, and it makes
sense that a product would be called PharmaGABA.

email questions and answersI agree that Kava Kava or 5-HTP are probably
better for anxiety for most people but can you tell me whether at higher doses and/or more
frequent dosing GABA could penetrate the blood-brain barrier and increase intracellular
GABA levels significantly?
A. Higher doses may lead to GABA crossing the blood brain barrier, but I have not
personally tested this on myself or with patients.

Q. How long does it
take for gaba to start working in you blood stream?
A. GABA is readily and quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, but it
has difficulty in crossing the blood-brain barrier and hence, at its present form sold
over the counter, is not a reliable way to relieve anxiety.

Q. Have you looked into Picamilon and it's mood
altering properties?
A. Picamilon
appears to be a combination of
GABA and nicotinic acid. We have not evaluated this medicine.

Q. I greatly
appreciate the information you've posted on your website. In the interest of
assisting, I'd like to offer come comments on jujube, which is discussed briefly
on your site. I take supplements for health, focus, stress and assistance
sleeping. To clarify the 'focus' issue, I periodically have trouble getting out
of repeating 'thought' cycles. Sometimes the repeating thought is a song I heard
on the radio, other times the repeating thought is something like 'gosh, this is
a big problem'. Even though I consciously wish the repeating thought to go
silent, it doesn't go away upon command. I describe this as 'getting into a
thought rut' or 'my mental jukebox'. I've found GABA an effective way to exit
the rut, but I am looking for other supplements so that I can take GABA
holidays.

I ran across your website while trying to research
effects of GABA pills that I am experiencing. My ND put me on GABA 500 mg.
capsules in Sept. 2008 I could not really pinpoint any definite effects,
although I felt physically better overall. I was taking it with breakfast, not
knowing it could help with sleep. From the things I read about the effect of
GABA on sleep, relaxation, anxiety, seizures etc, I decided to get serious and
try a higher dosage, so I purchased pure GABA powder - 1 serving is 1000 mg. I
began with 1 serving just before bedtime. Sometimes I have taken around 250 mg.
5:00 a.m., when I just could not fall back asleep. It has only been 2 weeks at
1000 to 1, 250 mg., but I am shocked at the following effects GABA had on me
from the first dose: Fall asleep rapidly and stay asleep - very rare for me. I
usually wake and turn over every hour due to pain. I am now waking up around 5
a.m. finding that I have not turned over once. I go to bed at around 11 p.m.
Typical partial-onset provoked seizure activity, constant muscle jerking, and
RLS symptoms are calmer - both night and day. The urge to move my feet
constantly is probably at 50% during the day. At this point I can't tell if the
effect on my bladder is positive or negative. There is some pain, but a lack of
the usual 24/7 "bladder awareness". Prior to beginning the GABA I was in a
pretty dark place - severe PTSD symptoms coming and going throughout the
day/night - anxiety, obsessive thinking, depression, paranoia, some suicidal
ideation - this has been going on for more than 6 months (nothing new). 2 weeks
later I feel very differently - positive, hopeful, upbeat, clearer thinking,
etc. Fatigue and muscle/trigger point / nerve pain -- this has been the most
obvious change. Rather than slogging around like a 48-yr-old person in an
80-yr-old body, I feel more my age, especially when out shopping, walking
around, etc... a marked difference in physical stamina. I am standing taller. I
have actually made plans to begin exercising again - a shocking result, to say
the least! I am withstanding my normal exertions w/o extra fatigue and longer
recovery time. I have been sweating quite a bit on exertion over the past 2
weeks, which I rarely did before. The PHN postherpetic neuralgia I usually
suffer from on most of my left side has lessened. Yesterday I could not feel it
at all. My arms and legs are warmer more often. It will take more than 2 weeks
to know if any of these things are actually GABA-related, a temporary
placebo-effect, or just coincidences. I have begun no other meds or supplements
lately. Last month I successfully stopped 4 migraines using Taurine powder /
flexaril / caffiene. Here are my current diagnoses: Post-MONO Epstein-Barr (for
want of a better explanation for the fatigue / fibro symptoms), partial
seizures, migraine, Hashimoto's - hypothyroid, Wilson's chronic low body temp,
chronic active shingles / HSV - post-herpetic neuralgia and some muscle-wasting,
PTSD, Interstitial Cystitis, Mast-cell Asthma, sleep disorder, RLS, mild
Reynaud's. One negative effect that occurred -- wide-spread muscle aching in my
legs for the first 3 nights on GABA, but I observed that the pain might mean
something good was happening.
I am going to continue observing and keep careful notes. I am using the Nutrabio
brand of GABA powder.

Testimonials
GABA pills are actually the best sleep treatment
available for me. There is a trick to it though. It does not like ANYTHING
else to be in your stomach at the same time. You MUST take on empty stomach 20
minutes before you close your eyes.